Subiaco, after eleven unsuccessful finals campaigns including six in succession, won its first premiership since Haydn Bunton, Jr. took them to the 1988 flag, whilst Swan Districts, largely clear of their severe financial troubles from the 1990s, played finals for the first time in a decade. During late May and June, perennial tailender Perth looked like playing finals for only the fourth time since 1979, but faltered badly in July and August.
The wooden spoon went to East Fremantle for the first time since their debut season of 1898, with three wins being the Sharks’ worst record since that debut year when they won one match of sixteen (though they also lost seventeen matches in 1968 and 1970).[1] The blue and whites suffered from two narrow losses and a botched resignation by coach Rod Lester-Smith which was unannounced but definite before East Fremantle's Round 13 game against Subiaco.[2] 2003 premiers West Perth, suffering a crippling injury toll, fell to seventh, which remains their lowest position since the great revival under Jeff Gieschen in 1993.[3]
The most notable occurrence during the season was Peel Thunder being recognised with a scoreless match for the first time in any major Australian Rules league since Subiaco failed to score against South Fremantle in August 1906,[4] due to having their score of 10.10 wiped when former Fitzroy and Subiaco rover Peter Bird was ruled to have not been cleared for that opening match.[5] Despite this setback and losing their first eight matches, the Thunder managed to avoid the wooden spoon with five wins being their third-best record in eight seasons and still their equal fifth-best in the WAFL as of 2014. Peel also won the Colts premiership with a major upset against South Fremantle in the Grand Final.[6]
The season was also notable for the Lions moving their home games to the redeveloped Leederville Oval and for the first night games at that ground, both of which were viewed as resounding successes at a time when the WAFL was struggling with its reduced profile.
Peel’s score is officially the lowest in the WAFL since 1906, when Subiaco failed to score against South Fremantle.
The Thunder actually scored 10.10 (70),[7] but had their score annulled at the WAFL meeting on 13 April because Peter Bird’s clearance from South Bunbury did not apply to this opening game.[5]
The first night match at Leederville, between the second- and third-placed clubs of 2003, is viewed a resounding success.[8]
Swan Districts kick crucial goals during time-on of the second and third quarters to ensure a more-competitive Peel team under Garry Hocking does not approach its first win.[9]
Two thrilling games see the Fremantle clubs winless with Peel after four rounds, with Shark Jason Morgan denied an apparently fair goal after he toed the ball through a pack.[10]
Shane Beros, with fifteen possessions in the last quarter, takes advantage of Swan Districts’ ability to turn the match into a stop-start affair and inflicts Claremont’s first defeat.[13]
Three late goals from Haydn North stop the Sharks from achieving a major upset despite another eight goals from Simister – who had now scored twenty in three matches.[14]
Claremont, unsettled by movements into and out of the AFL, avoid a huge upset only via a late behind from Anthony Jones. Victorian import Cameron Gauci kicks seven for Peel.[15]
The result constituted the first time a WAFL/Westar Rules team had won scoring fewer goals since West Perth beat Subiaco in Round 14 of 1998.
The hospitalisation of coach John Dimmer with a stomach cramp does not disturb South Fremantle and they produce an amazing last-quarter comeback where they go inside fifty metres twenty-five times to Subiaco’s three.[16]
A classy first half before persistent rain comes ensures Swans win as expected in a celebration for ninety-one-year-old Lal Mosey, the only survivor of their inaugural 1934 team.[17]
East Fremantle coach Rod Lester-Smith’s puzzling decision to move top goalkicker Scott Simister to centre half-forward and utility Jason Morgan to full-forward backfires – a fifteen-minute period in the third quarter of continuous attack that could have won the Sharks the game brings only three behinds.[18]
Peel win their first match for 2004 with hard running and strong tackling at the finish after South Fremantle took the lead coming from several goals down throughout most of the second half.[19]
Perth, despite lacking a ruckman after Nigel Edwards was injured, climb to third with their win over South Fremantle, who held on until late in the last quarter but were only briefly on top during the third.[21]
Claremont kick the lowest score ever by a visiting team at Bassendean Oval, with the previous lowest being 4.6 (30) by Peel the previous season.[23]
Despite losing the toss on a very windy afternoon and finishing with nineteen fit men after a physical struggle, Swans’ miserly defence completely blankets the league leader.[24]
In front of the biggest crowd of the home-and-away season, East Fremantle show an extraordinary lack of skill and discipline in wet conditions – giving away four frees behind play whilst in possession – and South achieve six consecutive wins over their rivals for the first time since the 1917 Grand Final.[25]
In a violent match won well by Perth after half-time, Peel allege Daniel Haines was struck twice and that their treatment by WAFL umpires is unfair compared to the older clubs.[26]
Swans expose West Perth’s extreme lack of height (only one player taller than 188 centimetres) and injury (only seven 2003 premiership players) to celebrate the retitling of Bassendean as ‘Steel Blue Oval’ in superb style.[3]
Unsuccessful WAFL state captain Brad Smith confirms his status as the league’s most eminent player with five first-half goals, which leaves Claremont winning the $5000 prize for best club after fourteen rounds by a single point due to the deduction of Peel’s 70 points from the opening round.[27]
In his first WAFL game since the third round of 1999, Shaun McManus has 35 possessions despite blistered feet, but despite this and six second-quarter goals from fourth-gamer Andrew Wilkie the once proud Sharks move to the bottom as Peel prove much too consistent.[28]
East Perth suffer an amazing collapse after kicking 8.6 (54) to 2.2 (14) early in the second quarter, scoring only 0.3 (3) to 9.5 (59) for the rest of the match.[29]
West Perth overcome the loss of Helen Logan[a] and after attending her Friday funeral they fought out the match as a "mark of respect".[30]
Perth overcome a twenty-day break to move a game clear in the four with an impressive display of accuracy in tough conditions.[31]
West Perth coach Darren Harris attach the WAFL’s send-off rule after Simon Duckworth was ejected for using abusive language to a goal umpire. Brendon Logan nonetheless leads the Falcons to a fine win over the eventual premiers.[32]
Perth kick their lowest score against Claremont, beating 4.9 (33) from 1991.[33] the Demons had key forward Simon Rudd reported and faced a "please explain" over their supporters’ abuse of field umpires.[34]
Perth’s reserves – needing players from Sunday League club Kenwick to field a team at all – scored only 0.1 (1) to Claremont’s 18.24 (132), with the sole behind being rushed in the last quarter.[34]
Brandon Hill becomes the first Peel player to reach one hundred WAFL/Westar Rules games and, despite possibly the mark of the year from Troy Longmuir, Peel win at Joondalup for the first time – in the process virtually ending West Perth’s chances to defend their premiership.[35]
Despite Troy Wilson kicking 2.9 (21), Perth suffer another embarrassment and Andrew Merrington from centre half-forward scores 5.1 (31) and Demon defender Rob Rushton gives a gift goal by kicking the ball thirty metres backwards to Merrington during the third quarter.[36]
East Perth squander a chance for a huge victory and much-needed percentage when they let East Fremantle come back from 1.6 (12) to 7.10 (52) at half-time to only sixteen points down at the finish – leaving the Royals well behinds South Fremantle and Swan districts on percentage.[37]
This time Subiaco hang on against South Fremantle to cement their double-chance berth against an opponent lacking key forward Ryan Murphy.[38]
Peel record their first win at the newly christened "Steel Blue Oval" and their twenty-fifth as a WAFL/Westar Rules club via the directness of their play and Fremantle squad rover Dylan Smith’s tenacity[39] – thereby making East Fremantle almost certain of a first wooden spoon in 106 years.
Perth rebound from three humiliating losses to be only percentage out of the four as the club’s character shines through despite poor disposal and weak second and third quarters.[40]
East Perth move (though with a remaining bye) to third with a surprise win led by last-minute recall Adam Pickering, who collects twenty-six possessions and shuts out John Crabb.[41]
Brent Jones’ kicking practice pays off as he kicks a towering 55-metre goal that, along with the move of Leath Teakle onto Longmuir, shouts out the West Perth attack for East Fremantle’s second win of 2004.[42]
After holding East Fremantle to 0.5 (5) with the wind in the opening quarter, Swan Districts kick 22.9 (141) in the final three quarters to seal the wooden spoon and end a worrying four-match slump.[43]
West Perth, via exceptionally fierce tackling, kick fifteen unanswered goals until the last minute of the game to show that, though out of the running, they could still shape the four.[44]
Perth’s lack of height, with no player above 192 centimetres (6 ft 4 in), is cruelly exposed by South Fremantle, who show with their victory that they could be a danger to Claremont and Subiaco in September.[45]
Swan Districts are forced into physical training on the Sunday as they produce an insipid last three quarters where – with the advantage of the breeze in two of them – they score 6.5 (41) to Claremont’s 23.9 (147).[47]
An unusual incident whereby a kick by Hayden North during time-on in the last quarter struck a seagull does not disturb South Fremantle’s matchwinning burst.[48]
With Brad Smith clearly headed for the AFL in 2005,[b] Subiaco found a ready-made replacement in former defender Sam Larkins, who combines with Smith for eleven goals as the Lions run away after East Fremantle looked within reach of an upset for a brief period in the third quarter.[49]
An amazingly selfless act of courage by Shane Creevey allows Peel to hang on after being 39 points ahead at three-quarter time. Creevey absorbed a very hard bump from Perth forward Simon Rudd and managed to clear the ball. It was Creevey’s fiftieth match and he copped a knee in the side.[50]
South Fremantle’s score, on a wet night,[52] was their lowest open-age score since kicking 2.7 (19) against East Fremantle in Round 9, 1926, and their lowest against East Perth since kicking 1.0 (6) in Round 2, 1918.[53]
Troy Wilson kicks six in the cool, wet and very windy conditions, and the Royals kicked 4.3 (27) into the wind in the third quarter[54] to stay in the running for the finals.
Swan Districts had to lose by 17 or more points for the Royals to get in, but won their first victory at Joondalup since 1994 to get into the finals for the first time since that season.
Subiaco win the minor premiership and the $5,000 ‘Prestige Loans Award’,[c] but coach Peter German denies any advantage because he believes the win will simply make Claremont study the Lions’ game more intensely.[55]
In their first final since 1994 Swan Districts repel conclusively a third-quarter Bulldog challenge with six straight last quarter goals, three of them from Adam Lange. Swans wingman Craig DeCorsey kicks six goals, five in the first half.[56]
Subiaco dominate Claremont throughout the first three quarters, and Brad Smith becomes the first WAFL/Westar Rules player to kick 100 goals since Jon Dorotich in 1997.
Claremont show up Swans’ lack of finals experience as the black and whites go from 2.0 (12) to 2.12 (24) between the 10-minute mark of the opening quarter and time on in the third.
The final margin flatters Swan Districts who kick the last five goals.
Anthony Jones, normally a backman, plays a key role for the Tigers at centre half-forward.[59]
Vines, Larkins, Holmes, Wooden, Cossan, Newick, Smith
Best
Harding, Brett Jones, Anthony Jones, Kowal, Crwaford
Maloney (thigh) Beattie (concussion)
Injuries
Wira (hamstring)
Sam Larkins provides a perfect antidote to Claremont’s targetting of leading goalkicker Smith, and the Tigers do not take control at any stage, as eight unanswed goals in the second half ensure Subiaco’s first premiership since 1988.
Notesedit
a Mother of then-current players Brendon and Adam Logan, and wife of former premiership player Ian Logan. b Smith was drafted by West Coast, but knee injuries meant he never played a single AFL match. c The ‘Prestige Loans Award’ was given to the club with the best result between Rounds 15 and 23, during which the nine WAFL clubs played each other once.
Referencesedit
^. Archived from the original on 16 December 2013. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
^ abReid, Russell; ‘Lockyer Calls on Sharks’ Players to Stand Up’; The Game, p. 11; from The West Australian, 14 June 2004
^ abLewis, Ross; ‘High-Flying Swans too Strong for Falcons’; The West Australian, 28 June 2004, p. 58
^WAFL Footy Facts: Lowest Scores 29 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine
^ abTownsend, John; ‘Peel Will Plead Bird Selection Legitimate’; The Game, p. 11; from The West Australian, 22 March 2004
^‘Big Win Keeps Royals in the Mix’; The West Australian, 28 August 2004, p. 186
^Reid, Russell; ‘German Not Convinced after Grand Rehearsal’; The Game, p. 11, from The West Australian, 30 August 2004
^Reid, Russell; ‘Swans Kick Away when it Matters’; The Game, p. 11, from The West Australian, 6 September 2004
^Lewis, Ross; ‘Lions Dominate Battle of Cats’; The Game, p. 11, from The West Australian, 6 September 2004
^Lewis, Ross; ‘Claremont Find Finals Edge’; The Game, p. 7, from The West Australian, 13 September 2004
^Reid, Russell; ‘Jones, Tigers Primed to Come Out Roaring’; The Game, p. 7, from The West Australian, 13 September 2004
^Lewis, Ross; ‘Larkins Takes Lead Role as Lions Charge Home’; The Game, p. 7, from The West Australian, 20 September 2004
External linksedit
January 01, 1970
2004, wafl, season, 120th, season, various, incarnations, west, australian, football, league, teams9premierssubiaco8th, premiershipminor, premierssubiaco9th, minor, premiershipsandover, medallistallistair, pickett, subiaco, bernie, naylor, medallistbrad, smith. The 2004 WAFL season was the 120th season of the various incarnations of the West Australian Football League 2004 WAFL seasonTeams9PremiersSubiaco8th premiershipMinor premiersSubiaco9th minor premiershipSandover MedallistAllistair Pickett Subiaco Bernie Naylor MedallistBrad Smith Subiaco Matches played94 20032005 Subiaco after eleven unsuccessful finals campaigns including six in succession won its first premiership since Haydn Bunton Jr took them to the 1988 flag whilst Swan Districts largely clear of their severe financial troubles from the 1990s played finals for the first time in a decade During late May and June perennial tailender Perth looked like playing finals for only the fourth time since 1979 but faltered badly in July and August The wooden spoon went to East Fremantle for the first time since their debut season of 1898 with three wins being the Sharks worst record since that debut year when they won one match of sixteen though they also lost seventeen matches in 1968 and 1970 1 The blue and whites suffered from two narrow losses and a botched resignation by coach Rod Lester Smith which was unannounced but definite before East Fremantle s Round 13 game against Subiaco 2 2003 premiers West Perth suffering a crippling injury toll fell to seventh which remains their lowest position since the great revival under Jeff Gieschen in 1993 3 The most notable occurrence during the season was Peel Thunder being recognised with a scoreless match for the first time in any major Australian Rules league since Subiaco failed to score against South Fremantle in August 1906 4 due to having their score of 10 10 wiped when former Fitzroy and Subiaco rover Peter Bird was ruled to have not been cleared for that opening match 5 Despite this setback and losing their first eight matches the Thunder managed to avoid the wooden spoon with five wins being their third best record in eight seasons and still their equal fifth best in the WAFL as of 2014 Peel also won the Colts premiership with a major upset against South Fremantle in the Grand Final 6 The season was also notable for the Lions moving their home games to the redeveloped Leederville Oval and for the first night games at that ground both of which were viewed as resounding successes at a time when the WAFL was struggling with its reduced profile Contents 1 Home and away season 1 1 Round 1 1 2 Round 2 1 3 Round 3 1 4 Round 4 1 5 Round 5 1 6 Round 6 1 7 Round 7 1 8 Round 8 1 9 Round 9 1 10 Round 10 1 11 Round 11 1 12 Round 12 1 13 Round 13 1 14 Round 14 1 15 Round 15 1 16 Round 16 1 17 Round 17 1 18 Round 18 1 19 Round 19 1 20 Round 20 1 21 Round 21 1 22 Round 22 1 23 Round 23 2 Ladder 3 Finals 3 1 Semi finals 3 2 Preliminary final 3 3 Grand Final 4 Notes 5 References 6 External linksHome and away season editRound 1 edit Round 1 Friday 19 March 6 45 pm South Fremantle 10 8 68 def by West Perth 16 8 104 Fremantle Oval crowd 2800 Saturday 20 March 2 15 pm Perth 17 12 114 def East Fremantle 10 7 67 Lathlain Park crowd 2092 Saturday 20 March 2 15 pm Peel Thunder 0 0 0 def by Claremont 17 15 117 Rushton Park crowd 1233 Saturday 20 March 6 45 pm East Perth 12 7 79 def by Subiaco 16 8 104 Leederville Oval crowd 3470 ByeSwan Districts Peel s score is officially the lowest in the WAFL since 1906 when Subiaco failed to score against South Fremantle The Thunder actually scored 10 10 70 7 but had their score annulled at the WAFL meeting on 13 April because Peter Bird s clearance from South Bunbury did not apply to this opening game 5 The first night match at Leederville between the second and third placed clubs of 2003 is viewed a resounding success 8 Round 2 edit Round 2 Saturday 27 March 2 15 pm East Perth 15 13 103 def Peel Thunder 13 9 87 Leederville Oval crowd 1320 Saturday 27 March 2 15 pm Swan Districts 10 19 79 def South Fremantle 8 13 61 Bassendean Oval crowd 1593 Sunday 28 March 2 15 pm Claremont 14 8 92 def Perth 12 7 79 Claremont Oval crowd 1741 Sunday 28 March 2 15 pm West Perth 9 12 66 def by Subiaco 12 10 82 Arena Joondalup crowd 2000 ByeEast Fremantle Round 3 edit Round 3 Friday 2 April 6 45 pm Subiaco 19 4 118 def Swan Districts 11 7 73 Leederville Oval crowd 2153 Saturday 3 April 2 15 pm East Fremantle 14 6 90 def by Claremont 22 18 150 East Fremantle Oval crowd 1290 Saturday 3 April 2 15 pm Perth 10 14 74 def by East Perth 13 11 89 Lathlain Park crowd 1765 Saturday 3 April 2 15 pm Peel Thunder 10 12 72 def by West Perth 13 20 98 Rushton Park crowd 1619 ByeSouth Fremantle Round 4 edit Round 4 Saturday 10 April 2 15 pm West Perth 14 20 104 def Perth 9 9 63 Arena Joondalup crowd 1987 Saturday 10 April 2 15 pm Swan Districts 20 10 130 def Peel Thunder 13 5 83 Bassendean Oval crowd 1871 Monday 12 April 2 15 pm South Fremantle 12 15 87 def Subiaco 13 8 86 Fremantle Oval crowd 2077 Monday 12 April 2 15 pm East Perth 13 11 89 def East Fremantle 13 9 87 Leederville Oval crowd 2367 ByeClaremont Swan Districts kick crucial goals during time on of the second and third quarters to ensure a more competitive Peel team under Garry Hocking does not approach its first win 9 Two thrilling games see the Fremantle clubs winless with Peel after four rounds with Shark Jason Morgan denied an apparently fair goal after he toed the ball through a pack 10 Round 5 edit Round 5 Saturday 17 April 2 15 pm East Fremantle 17 6 108 def West Perth 15 13 103 East Fremantle Oval crowd 1328 Saturday 17 April 5 40 pm Peel Thunder 11 14 80 def by South Fremantle 23 16 154 Rushton Park crowd 1182 Sunday 18 April 2 15 pm Claremont 12 5 77 def East Perth 7 12 54 Claremont Oval crowd 1998 Sunday 18 April 2 15 pm Perth 18 15 123 def Swan Districts 11 6 72 Lathlain Park crowd 1690 ByeSubiaco Round 6 edit Round 6 Friday 23 April 6 45 pm Subiaco 20 9 129 def Peel Thunder 11 7 73 Leederville Oval crowd 1592 Saturday 24 April 2 15 pm Swan Districts 14 11 95 def East Fremantle 12 9 81 Bassendean Oval crowd 1922 Saturday 24 April 2 15 pm South Fremantle 18 15 123 def Perth 12 10 82 Fremantle Oval crowd 1490 Saturday 24 April 2 15 pm West Perth 10 4 64 def by Claremont 13 17 95 Arena Joondalup crowd 1655 ByeEast Perth Subiaco kick fifteen goals without Peel scoring after the winless and crippled Thunder led 6 4 40 to 2 5 17 early in the second quarter 11 Round 7 edit Round 7 Friday 30 April 6 45 pm East Perth 11 13 79 def West Perth 11 12 78 Leederville Oval crowd 3410 Saturday 1 May 2 15 pm Claremont 6 12 48 def by Swan Districts 8 10 58 Claremont Oval crowd 1811 Saturday 1 May 2 15 pm Perth 15 6 96 def Subiaco 8 10 58 Cunderdin crowd 1678 12 Sunday 2 May 2 15 pm East Fremantle 13 9 87 def by South Fremantle 14 10 94 East Fremantle Oval crowd 3065 ByePeel Thunder Shane Beros with fifteen possessions in the last quarter takes advantage of Swan Districts ability to turn the match into a stop start affair and inflicts Claremont s first defeat 13 Three late goals from Haydn North stop the Sharks from achieving a major upset despite another eight goals from Simister who had now scored twenty in three matches 14 Round 8 edit Round 8 Friday 7 May 6 45 pm East Perth 7 11 53 def by Subiaco 12 9 81 Leederville Oval crowd 2447 Saturday 8 May 2 15 pm Peel Thunder 14 12 96 def by Claremont 13 19 97 Rushton Park crowd 1145 ByeEast Fremantle Perth South Fremantle Swan Districts West Perth Claremont unsettled by movements into and out of the AFL avoid a huge upset only via a late behind from Anthony Jones Victorian import Cameron Gauci kicks seven for Peel 15 The result constituted the first time a WAFL Westar Rules team had won scoring fewer goals since West Perth beat Subiaco in Round 14 of 1998 Round 9 edit Round 9 Saturday 15 May 2 15 pm Peel Thunder 10 8 68 def by Swan Districts 14 13 97 Rushton Park crowd 1678 Saturday 15 May 2 15 pm Subiaco 11 6 72 def by South Fremantle 10 16 76 Leederville Oval crowd 1337 Saturday 15 May 2 15 pm East Fremantle 7 13 55 def by East Perth 10 10 70 East Fremantle Oval crowd 1347 Sunday 16 May 2 15 pm Perth 12 12 84 def West Perth 8 14 62 Lathlain Park crowd 1692 ByeClaremont The hospitalisation of coach John Dimmer with a stomach cramp does not disturb South Fremantle and they produce an amazing last quarter comeback where they go inside fifty metres twenty five times to Subiaco s three 16 A classy first half before persistent rain comes ensures Swans win as expected in a celebration for ninety one year old Lal Mosey the only survivor of their inaugural 1934 team 17 East Fremantle coach Rod Lester Smith s puzzling decision to move top goalkicker Scott Simister to centre half forward and utility Jason Morgan to full forward backfires a fifteen minute period in the third quarter of continuous attack that could have won the Sharks the game brings only three behinds 18 Round 10 edit Round 10 Saturday 22 May 2 15 pm Peel Thunder 13 13 91 def South Fremantle 11 15 81 Katanning crowd 1872 Saturday 22 May 2 15 pm West Perth 15 14 104 def East Fremantle 9 17 71 Arena Joondalup crowd 1224 Saturday 22 May 2 15 pm Swan Districts 10 7 67 def by Perth 11 17 83 Bassendean Oval crowd 2075 Sunday 23 May 2 15 pm East Perth 14 9 93 def by Claremont 14 11 95 Leederville Oval crowd 2297 ByeSubiaco Peel win their first match for 2004 with hard running and strong tackling at the finish after South Fremantle took the lead coming from several goals down throughout most of the second half 19 Round 11 edit Round 11 Saturday 29 May 2 15 pm Claremont 14 12 96 def West Perth 10 7 67 Claremont Oval crowd 1704 Sunday 30 May 2 15 pm Peel Thunder 7 6 48 def by Subiaco 17 11 113 Rushton Park crowd 1314 Sunday 30 May 2 15 pm Perth 15 8 98 def South Fremantle 10 13 73 Lathlain Park crowd 1894 Sunday 30 May 2 15 pm East Fremantle 8 9 57 def by Swan Districts 11 9 75 East Fremantle Oval crowd 1735 20 ByeEast Perth Perth despite lacking a ruckman after Nigel Edwards was injured climb to third with their win over South Fremantle who held on until late in the last quarter but were only briefly on top during the third 21 Round 12 edit Round 12 Saturday 5 June 2 15 pm Subiaco 16 6 102 def Perth 12 3 75 Leederville Oval crowd 1495 Saturday 5 June 2 15 pm Swan Districts 11 8 74 def Claremont 3 9 27 Bassendean Oval crowd 1973 Monday 7 June 2 15 pm South Fremantle 17 11 113 def East Fremantle 4 7 31 Fremantle Oval crowd 4214 Monday 7 June 2 15 pm West Perth 9 6 60 def by East Perth 12 14 86 Arena Joondalup crowd 3922 22 ByePeel Thunder Claremont kick the lowest score ever by a visiting team at Bassendean Oval with the previous lowest being 4 6 30 by Peel the previous season 23 Despite losing the toss on a very windy afternoon and finishing with nineteen fit men after a physical struggle Swans miserly defence completely blankets the league leader 24 In front of the biggest crowd of the home and away season East Fremantle show an extraordinary lack of skill and discipline in wet conditions giving away four frees behind play whilst in possession and South achieve six consecutive wins over their rivals for the first time since the 1917 Grand Final 25 Round 13 edit Round 13 Saturday 12 June 2 15 pm Claremont 11 4 70 def South Fremantle 8 6 54 Denmark crowd 2500 Saturday 12 June 2 15 pm Perth 12 18 90 def Peel Thunder 8 12 60 Lathlain Park crowd 1148 Saturday 12 June 2 15 pm East Fremantle 11 15 81 def by Subiaco 14 13 97 East Fremantle Oval crowd 1260 2 Sunday 13 June 2 15 pm East Perth 9 9 63 def by Swan Districts 11 12 78 Leederville Oval crowd 2820 ByeWest Perth In a violent match won well by Perth after half time Peel allege Daniel Haines was struck twice and that their treatment by WAFL umpires is unfair compared to the older clubs 26 Round 14 edit Round 14 Saturday 26 June 2 15 pm Subiaco 15 10 100 def Claremont 14 7 91 Leederville Oval crowd 2235 Saturday 26 June 2 15 pm South Fremantle 13 12 90 def East Perth 11 10 76 Fremantle Oval crowd 2130 Saturday 26 June 2 15 pm Peel Thunder 18 5 113 def East Fremantle 14 6 90 Rushton Park crowd 1707 Saturday 26 June 2 15 pm Swan Districts 23 8 146 def West Perth 10 4 64 Bassendean Oval crowd 3185 ByePerth Swans expose West Perth s extreme lack of height only one player taller than 188 centimetres and injury only seven 2003 premiership players to celebrate the retitling of Bassendean as Steel Blue Oval in superb style 3 Unsuccessful WAFL state captain Brad Smith confirms his status as the league s most eminent player with five first half goals which leaves Claremont winning the 5000 prize for best club after fourteen rounds by a single point due to the deduction of Peel s 70 points from the opening round 27 In his first WAFL game since the third round of 1999 Shaun McManus has 35 possessions despite blistered feet but despite this and six second quarter goals from fourth gamer Andrew Wilkie the once proud Sharks move to the bottom as Peel prove much too consistent 28 Round 15 edit Round 15 Friday 2 July 6 45 pm East Perth 8 9 57 def by Subiaco 11 9 75 Leederville Oval crowd 1301 Saturday 3 July 2 15 pm Claremont 17 12 114 def Peel Thunder 6 10 46 Claremont Oval crowd 1028 Saturday 3 July 2 15 pm West Perth 14 9 93 def South Fremantle 11 9 75 Arena Joondalup crowd 1109 Saturday 3 July 2 15 pm East Fremantle 11 7 73 def by Perth 14 5 89 East Fremantle Oval crowd 1359 ByeSwan Districts East Perth suffer an amazing collapse after kicking 8 6 54 to 2 2 14 early in the second quarter scoring only 0 3 3 to 9 5 59 for the rest of the match 29 West Perth overcome the loss of Helen Logan a and after attending her Friday funeral they fought out the match as a mark of respect 30 Perth overcome a twenty day break to move a game clear in the four with an impressive display of accuracy in tough conditions 31 Round 16 edit Round 16 Saturday 10 July 2 15 pm Peel Thunder 12 10 82 def by East Perth 15 7 97 Rushton Park crowd 1208 Saturday 10 July 2 15 pm Subiaco 15 8 98 def by West Perth 16 13 109 Leederville Oval crowd 1681 Saturday 10 July 2 15 pm South Fremantle 17 16 118 def Swan Districts 9 7 61 Fremantle Oval crowd 1603 Saturday 10 July 2 15 pm Perth 4 4 28 def by Claremont 28 18 186 Lathlain Park crowd 1536 ByeEast Fremantle West Perth coach Darren Harris attach the WAFL s send off rule after Simon Duckworth was ejected for using abusive language to a goal umpire Brendon Logan nonetheless leads the Falcons to a fine win over the eventual premiers 32 Perth kick their lowest score against Claremont beating 4 9 33 from 1991 33 the Demons had key forward Simon Rudd reported and faced a please explain over their supporters abuse of field umpires 34 Perth s reserves needing players from Sunday League club Kenwick to field a team at all scored only 0 1 1 to Claremont s 18 24 132 with the sole behind being rushed in the last quarter 34 Round 17 edit Round 17 Saturday 17 July 2 15 pm Claremont 15 21 111 def East Fremantle 10 8 68 Claremont Oval crowd 1712 Saturday 17 July 2 15 pm Subiaco 16 3 99 def Swan Districts 12 5 77 Port Hedland crowd 1434 Saturday 17 July 2 15 pm East Perth 16 13 109 def Perth 6 11 47 Leederville Oval crowd 1946 Saturday 17 July 2 15 pm West Perth 9 11 65 def by Peel Thunder 10 11 71 Arena Joondalup crowd 1414 ByeSouth Fremantle Brandon Hill becomes the first Peel player to reach one hundred WAFL Westar Rules games and despite possibly the mark of the year from Troy Longmuir Peel win at Joondalup for the first time in the process virtually ending West Perth s chances to defend their premiership 35 Despite Troy Wilson kicking 2 9 21 Perth suffer another embarrassment and Andrew Merrington from centre half forward scores 5 1 31 and Demon defender Rob Rushton gives a gift goal by kicking the ball thirty metres backwards to Merrington during the third quarter 36 Round 18 edit Round 18 Saturday 24 July 2 15 pm Swan Districts 10 8 68 def by Peel Thunder 10 14 74 Bassendean Oval crowd 1974 Sunday 25 July 2 15 pm South Fremantle 9 12 66 def by Subiaco 14 10 94 Fremantle Oval crowd 1657 Sunday 25 July 2 15 pm East Perth 14 13 97 def East Fremantle 12 9 81 Leederville Oval crowd 1789 Sunday 25 July 2 15 pm West Perth 19 6 120 def Perth 11 10 76 Arena Joondalup crowd 1615 ByeClaremont East Perth squander a chance for a huge victory and much needed percentage when they let East Fremantle come back from 1 6 12 to 7 10 52 at half time to only sixteen points down at the finish leaving the Royals well behinds South Fremantle and Swan districts on percentage 37 This time Subiaco hang on against South Fremantle to cement their double chance berth against an opponent lacking key forward Ryan Murphy 38 Peel record their first win at the newly christened Steel Blue Oval and their twenty fifth as a WAFL Westar Rules club via the directness of their play and Fremantle squad rover Dylan Smith s tenacity 39 thereby making East Fremantle almost certain of a first wooden spoon in 106 years Round 19 edit Round 19 Saturday 31 July 2 15 pm East Fremantle 15 13 103 def West Perth 12 17 89 East Fremantle Oval crowd 1243 Saturday 31 July 2 15 pm Perth 13 11 89 def Swan Districts 11 18 84 Lathlain Park crowd 1456 Saturday 31 July 2 15 pm Peel Thunder 15 9 99 def by South Fremantle 20 11 131 Rushton Park crowd 1423 Saturday 31 July 2 15 pm Claremont 11 8 74 def by East Perth 12 6 78 Claremont Oval crowd 1771 ByeSubiaco Perth rebound from three humiliating losses to be only percentage out of the four as the club s character shines through despite poor disposal and weak second and third quarters 40 East Perth move though with a remaining bye to third with a surprise win led by last minute recall Adam Pickering who collects twenty six possessions and shuts out John Crabb 41 Brent Jones kicking practice pays off as he kicks a towering 55 metre goal that along with the move of Leath Teakle onto Longmuir shouts out the West Perth attack for East Fremantle s second win of 2004 42 Round 20 edit Round 20 Saturday 7 August 2 15 pm West Perth 17 7 109 def Claremont 5 12 42 Arena Joondalup crowd 1578 Saturday 7 August 2 15 pm Subiaco 23 8 146 def Peel Thunder 9 6 60 Leederville Oval crowd 1375 Saturday 7 August 2 15 pm South Fremantle 12 19 91 def Perth 7 7 49 Fremantle Oval crowd 1488 Saturday 7 August 2 15 pm Swan Districts 23 13 151 def East Fremantle 8 11 59 Bassendean Oval crowd 2139 ByeEast Perth After holding East Fremantle to 0 5 5 with the wind in the opening quarter Swan Districts kick 22 9 141 in the final three quarters to seal the wooden spoon and end a worrying four match slump 43 West Perth via exceptionally fierce tackling kick fifteen unanswered goals until the last minute of the game to show that though out of the running they could still shape the four 44 Perth s lack of height with no player above 192 centimetres 6 ft 4 in is cruelly exposed by South Fremantle who show with their victory that they could be a danger to Claremont and Subiaco in September 45 Round 21 edit Round 21 Friday 13 August 6 45 pm East Perth 11 7 73 def by West Perth 11 10 76 Leederville Oval crowd 1944 Saturday 14 August 2 15 pm East Fremantle 11 6 72 def by South Fremantle 13 19 97 East Fremantle Oval crowd 2165 Saturday 14 August 2 15 pm Claremont 27 13 175 def Swan Districts 8 7 55 Claremont Oval crowd 1668 Saturday 14 August 2 15 pm Perth 11 11 77 def Subiaco 11 8 74 Lathlain Park crowd 1324 46 ByePeel Thunder Swan Districts are forced into physical training on the Sunday as they produce an insipid last three quarters where with the advantage of the breeze in two of them they score 6 5 41 to Claremont s 23 9 147 47 An unusual incident whereby a kick by Hayden North during time on in the last quarter struck a seagull does not disturb South Fremantle s matchwinning burst 48 Round 22 edit Round 22 Saturday 21 August 2 15 pm South Fremantle 10 10 70 def Claremont 7 17 59 Fremantle Oval crowd 2002 Saturday 21 August 2 15 pm Swan Districts 16 7 103 def East Perth 10 6 66 Bassendean Oval crowd 2888 Saturday 21 August 2 15 pm Peel Thunder 12 7 79 def Perth 10 11 71 Rushton Park crowd 1378 Saturday 21 August 2 15 pm Subiaco 20 15 135 def East Fremantle 12 8 80 Leederville Oval crowd 1036 ByeWest Perth With Brad Smith clearly headed for the AFL in 2005 b Subiaco found a ready made replacement in former defender Sam Larkins who combines with Smith for eleven goals as the Lions run away after East Fremantle looked within reach of an upset for a brief period in the third quarter 49 An amazingly selfless act of courage by Shane Creevey allows Peel to hang on after being 39 points ahead at three quarter time Creevey absorbed a very hard bump from Perth forward Simon Rudd and managed to clear the ball It was Creevey s fiftieth match and he copped a knee in the side 50 Round 23 edit Round 23 Friday 27 August 6 45 pm East Perth 11 13 79 def South Fremantle 3 4 22 Leederville Oval crowd 1319 Saturday 28 August 2 15 pm East Fremantle 13 13 91 def Peel Thunder 10 7 67 East Fremantle Oval crowd 1223 Saturday 28 August 2 15 pm West Perth 12 15 87 def by Swan Districts 13 10 88 Arena Joondalup crowd 1784 51 Saturday 28 August 2 15 pm Claremont 10 5 65 def by Subiaco 15 10 100 Claremont Oval crowd 1673 ByePerth South Fremantle s score on a wet night 52 was their lowest open age score since kicking 2 7 19 against East Fremantle in Round 9 1926 and their lowest against East Perth since kicking 1 0 6 in Round 2 1918 53 Troy Wilson kicks six in the cool wet and very windy conditions and the Royals kicked 4 3 27 into the wind in the third quarter 54 to stay in the running for the finals Swan Districts had to lose by 17 or more points for the Royals to get in but won their first victory at Joondalup since 1994 to get into the finals for the first time since that season Subiaco win the minor premiership and the 5 000 Prestige Loans Award c but coach Peter German denies any advantage because he believes the win will simply make Claremont study the Lions game more intensely 55 Ladder edit2004 ladder Pos Team Pld W L D PF PA PP Pts 1 Subiaco P 20 15 5 0 1963 1489 131 8 60 2 Claremont 20 13 7 0 1881 1383 136 0 52 3 South Fremantle 20 12 8 0 1744 1562 111 7 48 4 Swan Districts 20 12 8 0 1731 1643 105 4 48 5 East Perth 20 11 9 0 1590 1526 104 2 44 6 Perth 20 10 10 0 1587 1785 88 9 40 7 West Perth 20 9 11 0 1722 1676 102 7 36 8 Peel Thunder 20 5 15 0 1449 2082 69 6 20 9 East Fremantle 20 3 17 0 1532 2053 74 6 12Source WAFL Footy FactsRules for classification 1 points 2 percentage 3 number of points for P PremiersFinals editSemi finals edit First semi final Sunday 5 September 2 15 pm South Fremantle 12 12 84 def by Swan Districts 21 8 134 Subiaco Oval crowd 6 223 In their first final since 1994 Swan Districts repel conclusively a third quarter Bulldog challenge with six straight last quarter goals three of them from Adam Lange Swans wingman Craig DeCorsey kicks six goals five in the first half 56 Second semi final Sunday 5 September 5 45 pm Subiaco 19 14 128 def Claremont 9 14 68 Subiaco Oval crowd 5 773 57 Subiaco dominate Claremont throughout the first three quarters and Brad Smith becomes the first WAFL Westar Rules player to kick 100 goals since Jon Dorotich in 1997 Preliminary final edit Preliminary final Sunday 12 September 2 15 pm Claremont 16 12 108 def Swan Districts 9 17 71 Subiaco Oval crowd 7 508 58 Claremont show up Swans lack of finals experience as the black and whites go from 2 0 12 to 2 12 24 between the 10 minute mark of the opening quarter and time on in the third The final margin flatters Swan Districts who kick the last five goals Anthony Jones normally a backman plays a key role for the Tigers at centre half forward 59 Grand Final edit Main article 2004 WAFL Grand Final 2004 WAFL Grand Final Sunday 19 September Subiaco def Claremont Subiaco Oval crowd 21 507 60 5 3 33 7 6 48 10 8 68 15 9 99 Q1Q2Q3 Final 2 1 13 4 5 29 5 6 36 7 9 51 Umpires David Corcoran Luke Farmer Mark Fussell Simpson Medal Paul Vines Subiaco Smith 5 Larkins 4 Cossom Vines Haines Beattie Miller Ambrose Goals Anthony Jones 3 Crabb Cunningham Wira Crwford Vines Larkins Holmes Wooden Cossan Newick Smith Best Harding Brett Jones Anthony Jones Kowal Crwaford Maloney thigh Beattie concussion Injuries Wira hamstring Sam Larkins provides a perfect antidote to Claremont s targetting of leading goalkicker Smith and the Tigers do not take control at any stage as eight unanswed goals in the second half ensure Subiaco s first premiership since 1988 Notes edita Mother of then current players Brendon and Adam Logan and wife of former premiership player Ian Logan b Smith was drafted by West Coast but knee injuries meant he never played a single AFL match c The Prestige Loans Award was given to the club with the best result between Rounds 15 and 23 during which the nine WAFL clubs played each other once References edit WAFL Footy Facts 1898 Archived from the original on 16 December 2013 Retrieved 16 December 2013 a b Reid Russell Lockyer Calls on Sharks Players to Stand Up The Game p 11 from The West Australian 14 June 2004 a b Lewis Ross High Flying Swans too Strong for Falcons The West Australian 28 June 2004 p 58 WAFL Footy Facts Lowest Scores Archived 29 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine a b Townsend John Peel Will Plead Bird Selection Legitimate The Game p 11 from The West Australian 22 March 2004 WAFL Colts Ladder Positions Peel Thunder v Claremont Round 1 2004 Townsend John Saturday Night All Right for WAFL Game p 11 from The West Australian 22 March 2004 Lewis Ross Swans Make Most of Thunder Fade Out The Game p 11 in The West Australian 11 April 2004 Townsend John Shark Scare for Royals in Late Run The West Australian 13 April 2004 p 58 Townsend John Tardy Lions Too Strong The West Australian 24 April 2004 p 181 Reid Russell Demon Ruckmen Come Through Unscathed The Game p 11 from The West Australian 3 May 2004 Lewis Ross Beros Cops It Sweet The Game p 10 from The West Australian 3 May 2004 Reid Russell North Ends Sharks Bid for Derby Victory The Game p 11 from The West Australian 3 May 2004 Lewis Ross Unsettled Tigers Flirt with Defeat The Game p 11 from The West Australian 10 May 2004 Lewis Ross Comeback Win a Tonic for Coach The Game p 11 from The West Australian 17 May 2004 Lamond David Big Day for Legend as Swans Turn It On The Game p 10 from The West Australian 17 May 2004 Townsend John Red Faces in Goal Square Mishap The Game p 11 from The West Australian 17 May 2004 Lamond David Thunder Rise to Hocking Challenge The Game p 10 from The West Australian 24 May 2004 Lewis Ross Munro Shines While Big Boss Sits on the Hill The Game p 11 from The West Australian 31 May 2004 Townsend John Demons Climb Another Rung The Game p 11 from The West Australian 31 May 2004 Reid Russell Royals Rally to Thwart Falcons Fight Back The West Australian 8 June 2004 p 64 WAFL Footy Facts Bassendean Oval Archived 21 September 2013 at the Wayback Machine Reid Russell Swans Toss Tigers after Losing the Toss The Game p 10 from The West Australian 7 June 2004 Townsend John Rampaging Bulldogs Blitz Hapless Sharks The West Australian 8 June 2004 p 64 Lewis Ross Irate Thunder Wants Blow by Blow Probe The Game p 10 from The West Australian 14 June 2004 Townsend John Smith a Standout as Lions Sink Tigers The West Australian 28 June 2004 p 59 Lamond David McManus Gives His All for Sharks The West Australian 28 June 2004 p 59 Townsend John Wasteful Royals Overrun by Lions The West Australian 3 July 2004 p 163 Lamond David Emotional Falcons Do It Tough on and off the Field The Game p 11 from The West Australian 5 July 2004 Reid Russell Demons in Top Four after Long Break The Game p 11 from The West Australian 5 July 2004 Lewis Ross Harris Hits Out over Send Off The Game p 11 from The West Australian 12 July 2004 Claremont Lowest Scores Conceded a b Reid Russell Tigers Maul Hapless Perth The Game p 11 from The West Australian 12 July 2004 Lamond David Win Adds to Big Work for Smith and Peel The Game p 11 from The West Australian 19 July 2004 Reid Russell Royals in Best Form of Season The Game p 11 from The West Australian 19 July 2004 Lewis Ross Royals Squander Chance to Gain Much Needed Percentage The Game p 11 from The West Australian 26 July 2004 Reid Russell Lions Bare Claws for the Double Chance The Game p 11 from The West Australian 26 July 2004 Lewis Ross Peel Takes Another Step up the Ladder The Game p 10 from The West Australian 26 July 2004 Reid Russell Brave Demons Back on Track The Game p 11 from The West Australian 2 August 2004 Lewis Ross A Royal Reply to Late Reprieve The Game p 11 from The West Australian 2 August 2004 Townsend John Jones on Target as Sharks Find Bite The Game p 10 from The West Australian 2 August 2004 Reid Russell Injured Cassan Inspires Swans to Flay Sharks The Game p 11 from The West Australian 9 August 2004 Lamond David West Perth Youngsters Embarrass Tigers The Game p 11 from The West Australian 9 August 2004 Lewis Ross Big Bulldogs Brush Off Perth The Game p 11 from The West Australian 9 August 2004 Lewis Ross Davis Can Do for Perth The Game p 11 from The West Australian 16 August 2004 Reid Russell Swans Go to Water as Tigers Earn Their Stripes The Game p 11 from The West Australian 16 August 2004 Lamond David North Gulled by a Shot on Goal The Game p 11 from The West Australian 16 August 2004 Lamond David Subiaco Attack Looks Safe in Larkins The Game p 11 from The West Australian 23 August 2004 Reid Russell Brave Creevey Helps Peel Hang On The Game p 11 from The West Australian 23 August 2004 Lewis Ross Beros Edmonds Struggle to Be Fit for Finals The Game p 11 from The West Australian 30 August 2004 Perth Metro Mount Lawley 009225 August 2004 rainfall South Fremantle Lowest Scores Big Win Keeps Royals in the Mix The West Australian 28 August 2004 p 186 Reid Russell German Not Convinced after Grand Rehearsal The Game p 11 from The West Australian 30 August 2004 Reid Russell Swans Kick Away when it Matters The Game p 11 from The West Australian 6 September 2004 Lewis Ross Lions Dominate Battle of Cats The Game p 11 from The West Australian 6 September 2004 Lewis Ross Claremont Find Finals Edge The Game p 7 from The West Australian 13 September 2004 Reid Russell Jones Tigers Primed to Come Out Roaring The Game p 7 from The West Australian 13 September 2004 Lewis Ross Larkins Takes Lead Role as Lions Charge Home The Game p 7 from The West Australian 20 September 2004External links editOfficial WAFL website West Australian Football League WAFL 2004 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 2004 WAFL season amp oldid 1209111894, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
